Workshops and Excursions

Most workshops and events are free, unless there is a material cost. Bookings are essential, visit Eventbrite/No8 Wire Week to view full list of events and to register, or click on the links below.

BARE ESSENTIALS: ZERO WASTE NATURAL BODY CARE

SATURDAY 15TH JULY, 1:30 - 3:00PM, ŌTAKI COLLEGE

Hannah and Liam, of The Rubbish Trip show you how to make a range of body care products, zero waste! From toothpaste and deodorants to face cleansers and body scrubs. BYO containers to take home samples.

Watch and learn as Brian Falkner of RainHarvest Products installs a simple downpipe diverter and two-barrel system on a plastic pallet stand. Bring the kids along and check out the developing community garden space.

Take part in interactive demonstrations to discover and sample the incredible benefits and products that bees provide. Also, find out how we can help make sure that bees are around for future generations.

Hannah Zwartz will walk you through creating an asparagus bed. Once a bed’s established you can keep picking this spring treat for 20 years or more. Bring garden gloves and suitable shoes. Find out more and register.

Hariata Higgott makes rongoā blends from plants including eucalyptus, comfrey, tarata, māhoe, calendula and kawakawa. Learn about their uses and cook up a salve to take home. $5 for materials, BYO scissors & small jar.

Make a kawakawa salve with SandRa from Stoney Ground Herbs - good for cuts, wounds, bruises, burns, nettle stings, itchy skin or pimples. Over a cup of tea learn about other herbs and take home your own pot of salve. $5 for materials, containers provided, or BYO. Find out more and register.

MAKE YOUR OWN JEWELLERY

SATURDAY 22ND JULY, 11:30 - 1:00PM, KĀPITI COLLEGE

Environmental jeweller JoAnna Mere shows how to make jewellery using items from your home and the beach. Bring your broken jewellery, a notebook and pencil and create your own wearable treasure. $10pp.

Learn about sauerkraut and make your own to ferment at home. Learn the stages of fermentation, how it works, what it is and why fermented foods are important to humans. All ingredients provided. Gold coin donation. Find out more and register.

ORGANIC WEED MANAGEMENT

SUNDAY 23RD JULY, 3:00 - 4:30PM, KĀPITI COLLEGE GARDEN

Weeds are a part of every garden. Find out about good weeds, edible weeds, medicinal weeds, weeds that aren’t worth fretting over and weeds that certainly are. Find out more and register.

PAPERMAKING

SUNDAY 23RD JULY, 10:00 - 11:30AM, KĀPITI COLLEGE

Paper is everywhere but do you know it’s history, or how it is made? Come and learn about the origins of paper and how you can turn common plants into paper pulp. Have a go at making some paper from New Zealand flax.

A gathering of gardeners from expert to novice. Learn from the locals and find out about the Kāpiti seed bank. Bring and swap any seeds you have and learn how to store them for next season. Find out more and register.

THE ART OF PRESERVING

SUNDAY 23RD JULY, 1:30 - 3:30PM, KĀPITI COLLEGE

​Learn the basics of preserving including sterilisation, different methods, and ideas for every season. You will make a grapefruit curd as well as another item using locally grown seasonal produce. Find out more and register.

T-SHIRT UPCYCLING

SATURDAY 15TH JULY, 11:30- 1:00PM, ŌTAKI COLLEGE

Bring new life into preloved T-shirts. Nina King will show you how to restyle and reinvent your T’s to create new fashion items. Ages 12+. Find out more and register.

Come on a two and a half hour bike tour to discover some of the hidden gems in the Paraparaumu and Waikanae river area (mainly off road). Bookings required

NATURE TOUR

MONDAY 17TH JULY, 1:00 - 3:30PM, MEET AT AMES ST RESERVE, PAEKĀKĀRIKI

Come and explore the Kohekohe forest loop track, Meet at the entrance to Ames St Reserve (SH1 end of Ames Street). The tour through the forest can be steep and slippery in places so wear suitable walking shoes and bring warm clothing. Register here.

PLANTING IN QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK

SUNDAY 23RD JULY, 9:30AM ONWARDS

Meet at the north end of Tilley Road, Paekākāriki to get involved in planting beside the Te Aro O Whareroa shared path in Queen Elizabeth Park. No need to book.

WHAREROA PLANTING & BIODIVERSITY WALK

SUNDAY 16TH JULY, 9:00 - 11:00AM, WHAREROA FARM RESERVE

Bring the children and help make some little plants happy by getting them in the ground, then come on a guided tour of Whareroa farm and check out the weta houses. Please indicate if you are coming for catering purposes. Register here.